The grizzled Hollywood icon elected to bypass the jugular and shoot for America's funnybone, conducting a somewhat rambling and often bizarro conversation with an empty chair theoretically occupied by absentee President Barack Obama.

While some attendees on the convention floor seemed to lap up the unscripted presentation, others were seen nervously checking their watches. Reaction from the Twittersphere ranged from bemusement to sympathy.

Critics pummeled the former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea with all kinds of colorful commentary.